Adjustment disorder

To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.

Adjustment disorder is an emotional and behavioral reaction that develops within 3 months of a life stress, and which is stronger or greater than what would be expected for the type of event that occurred.

Causes

Adults often develop adjustment disorder due to marital or financial problems.

In adolescents, common stressors include:

Family conflict

School problems

Sexuality issues

Other stressors for people of any age include:

Death of a loved one

General life changes

Unexpected catastrophes

There is no way to predict which people who are affected by the same stress are likely to develop adjustment disorder. Financial conditions, social support, and career and recreational opportunities can influence how well a person reacts to stress. A person's susceptibility to stress may be influenced by factors such as:

Coping strategies

Intelligence

Flexibility

Genetic factors

Social skills

Symptoms

For a diagnosis of adjustment disorder, a person's symptoms must be severe enough to affect his or her work or social life. Some of the symptoms include:

Symptoms of adjustment disorder typically begin within 3 months of the stressor, and usually do not last longer than 6 months, unless the stressor continues to be present (such as an illness or living in a dangerous neighborhood).

On occasion, symptoms can be severe and the person may have thoughts of suicide or make a suicide attempt.

Exams and Tests

The following criteria need to be met to establish a diagnosis:

The symptoms clearly follow a stressor

The symptoms are more severe than would be expected

There do not appear to be other underlying disorders

The symptoms are not part of normal grieving for the death of a loved one

Treatment

The main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and help the person return to a similar level of functioning as before the stressful event occurred.

Individual therapy can help the person:

Get support

Identify his or her abnormal responses to the stressor

Maximize the use of his or her strengths

Most mental health professionals recommend some type of talk therapy to help the person identify or learn different responses to the stressors in their life. Types of therapy may include:

Behavior therapy

Individual psychotherapy

Family therapy

Self-help groups

When medications are used, they are usually in addition to other forms of treatment. Depending on the symptoms, these may include:

Anti-anxiety medicines

Antidepressant medicines

Antipsychotic medicines (rarely)

Stimulants (for patients who are very withdrawn)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Adjustment disorders usually get better quickly without any remaining symptoms.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of adjustment disorder.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent this disorder. Strong support from friends and family can help.

Topics

Notice: The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.